Category: KPOP

[Album Review] KILL MY DOUBT (7th Mini Album) – ITZY

Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged 4 Comments
Kill My Doubt Teaser Image

For me, ITZY feels like they are the underdogs in KPOP at the moment. ITZY’s mini-albums have been a mixed bag for me and many others lately. It is interesting to note that the scores I personally been giving their album releases have been continually going down each time I review them. And so, I do hope that ITZY can turn things around and dispel the misconceptions about them to the KPOP industry. I am happy to report that KILL MY DOUBT does reverse the trajectory ever so slightly, and I hope this is a sign that their album outputs will improve, to the point they will release an album that will smash and changes people’s perception of them as artists. KILL MY DOUBT, released in July, features the title track CAKE, pre-release tracks BET ON ME and None of My Business and an additional 3 sides track, taking the total number of songs to 6.

KILL MY DOUBT Album Cover
KILL MY DOUBT Album Cover

1. BET ON ME – Click here to read my thoughts on BET ON ME in the combined review of BET ON ME and None of My Business. (7/10)

2. CAKE (Title Track) – As I had predicted, CAKE has grown on me a fair bit since I reviewed it. As a result of this, I have decided to bump up CAKE‘s song rating by 0.5 full point. My other thoughts on the song do stand, however. Click here to read the full review forCAKE. (7.5/10)

3. None of My Business – Click here to read my thoughts on None of My Business in the combined review of Bet On Me and None of My Business. (6.5/10)

4. Bratty (나쁜 애) – For me, Bratty is the mini-album’s most skippable song. First impression had me thinking that the track goes for a playful arrangement with its unique instrumentation. However, the more I listen to it, the less so does Bratty sound this way to me. The reason for this is because Bratty sounds quite linear, which didn’t bode down well in the long run for me. The members give Bratty some nice vocals, but they didn’t offer anything melodic or catchy enough to be get the song stuck in my head. (6/10)

5. Psychic Lover – Psychic Lover appeals to me with its pop rock influenced chorus. The energy from the central sequence of Psychic Lover feels pleasantly electrifying and exciting. The buildup during the pre-chorus was amazing, as well. My only wish for Psychic Lover is that the vocals followed through with the energy and stayed in this energetic form. This easily could have taken the song to the next level. ITZY kind of gets there at the start of the choruses, but the energy from them fizzles out as the choruses progresses, flatten its potential. (8.5/10)

6. Kill Shot – The shortest song by far is Kill Shot. And this is its biggest flaw. The electronic synths give such a dark, edgy and cool vibe to the song. ITZY themselves carries this edgy and cool vibe through into their whispery and low tone delivery. The song also manages to incorporate a ‘Ring around the rosie’ melody, which an unexpected development in the song. But it keeps it interesting, aligning with the rest of what we heard. I just wished Kill Shot was longer. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 7.3/10

KILL MY DOUBT Teaser Image
KILL MY DOUBT Teaser Image

[Review] Good Enough – CHANYEOL (EXO)

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged , Leave a comment

Making his return as a solo artist today is EXO member CHANYEOL with the single Good Enough. This is CHANYEOL’s first solo song since Tomorrow in 2021 (which I hadn’t review yet). I have previously reviewed some of his previous solo tracks, such as SSFW and Nothin’, the latter being featured as part of EXO-SC’s first studio album, 1 Billion Views.

To me, Good Enough is straight-forwardly pleasant. Nothing more and nothing less. Sometimes that can turn into a bore, but Good Enough does enough to bring a smile to my face. Not necessarily a massive grin, but a faint smile. But I appreciate that, no matter how small that effect is. In addition to that, Good Enough‘s comes together to elicit a further comforting and warming effect, which helps it become an enjoyable listen overall. The background of the song is rather chill, with it embracing light and atmospheric synths. The beats are well paced and the synth detailing brings out a buoyant vibe. CHANYEOL’s vocals sound so nice in Good Enough. His slightly more hoarse voice gives Good Enough some texture to keep the song weighted. The melodies make CHANYEOL’s vocals mellow out and make the song easy to listen to. I also find them to be quite catchy, getting a few listens out of me already since its release just a few hours ago. Overall, I think it is needless to say that I quite liked Good Enough and welcome the comfort it brings.

Good Enough‘s music video could potentially be passed off as another music video for EXO, with fellow members CHEN, KYUNGSOO and BAEKHYUN featuring alongside CHANYEOL. The song features the message of “It’s okay, you’re good enough,” to those chasing their dreams who may experience anxiety and uncertainty (taken from SOOMPI). And as comforting as those words are, the video sees CHANYEOL hang out with his fellow members in an equally as comforting manner. I like how the three members help CHANYEOL deliver the hook of Good Enough in the video, by starting off the line and then have CHANYEOL finish it off each time. I also found the mini head bops to be endearing element in the video. I also like how they genuinely show off their friendship in this video.

Song – 9/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 9/10

[Review] STRANGER – SUNMI

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged 2 Comments

After over a year’s absence from the KPOP scene (partly due to a world tour), SUNMI has officially returned with the single album and title track, both sharing the name STRANGER. This is her first release since Heart Burn last year.

STRANGER is a peculiar song. The music video for STRANGER makes it more profound, but the song on its own is quite segmented into very discrete verse, pre-chorus and choruses portions that all sound alike to the ‘next’ alike portion. Essentially, STRANGER is a hybrid of three different songs mashed into one. One song correspond to the verses/bridge, which very much feels like SUNMI’s typical work. It has an alluring and sensual vibe that we all know SUNMI is super capable. Nothing new springs from this sound, but I liked the revisit to this side of SUNMI, which she is definitely queen of. I like the deep descending synth at the end of each half of the verse. The second song can be heard in the pre-choruses of the song, where the tone shifts (but not that far from the verses) to become more upbeat and have a vibrant feel. It is a little more typical with its pop sound, adopting a somewhat reggae motif. The third and final song of STRANGER is the chorus, which to me, is undoubtedly the more iconic part of the STRANGER. That is expected of the chorus, but the way STRANGER is set up makes it even more so. We get a spoken delivery in the chorus and I found it to be catchy instantaneously. The striking piano feels very appropriate background for both the concept and the current Halloween holiday that is fast approaching. In matter of fact, striking is how I would describe the chorus. While I don’t mind the three “songs” from one another, my issue is that STRANGER doesn’t feel connected. I know that is the point of the song, but it feels too disjointed and very apart to be considered one song. I wish there were better transitions (or more precisely, transitions to begin with) to give STRANGER a cohesive nature, somehow.

I am a big fan of spooky season of Halloween. And the concept for this comeback just hits the spot. I think there is more than just Halloween tropes in this music video, however. To me, I think the music video kicks off with the idea that SUNMI is an author, who crafts the spooky story within the video. Essentially, we have SUNMI’s story character build a Frankenstein version of herself from a version of herself who dies from a lightning strike. But she forgets one bolt (love the relatable look SUNMI gives at this moment), which leads the Frankenstein version of herself to run away with the creepy guy in the woods. SUNMI story character follows them to get her creation back, which she does successfully. But the story gets out of hand, with some comedic moments like the filming of the music video with the Frankenstein version of herself as the main star. Also, the mansion in the story ends up going up in flames (which prompts the pages that SUNMI wrote her story on to also catch on fire). But the story ends off heavy breathing from SUNMI story’s character and the pose struck by Frankenstein SUNMI, which appears to be a play on the whole ‘ending fairy pose’ that all KPOP performance must end with nowadays. Adding more to the comedy of the video is the credits scene where Frankenstein SUNMI who becomes a maid finds the missing bolt, inserts it into her ear, and makes it sound like some earphones being activated/turning on. A fun and well timed concept.

The choreography complements each of the three songs I mentioned above and looks amazingly executed. We have sensual vibes during the verses, some bounce during the pre-chorus and very sharp movements to match the striking piano in the choruses. Altogether, the performance gives SUNMI great opportunity to show her many sides, performance skills and charisma all in one performance.

Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 10/10
Performance – 10/10
Overall Rating – 8.8/10

[Album Review] EXIST (7th Studio Album) – EXO

Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged 2 Comments

EXO made their long awaited comeback in July with their 7th studio album EXIST. And it is finally time to review EXIST. This latest album is EXO’s first album in two years (Don’t Fight The Feeling was their last album release) and follows a hiatus whilst the EXO members completed their military enlistments and focused on solo endeavours. That being said, EXO is still not yet complete as it is a 7-member comeback only, with KAI enlisting in the military just prior to EXIST‘s release (but he is featured on the album vocally and through the pre-releases). EXIST consist of nine songs in total, including the title track Cream Soda and two pre-release tracks Let Me In and Hear Me Out. My thoughts on the songs are below, as usual.

EXIST Album Cover

1. Cream Soda (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Cream Soda. (9/10)

2. Regret It – Regret It falls into R&B pop territory, for the most part. I really like the groovy underlay in the beginning, ending and post-chorus sequence of the song. It is a rather profound aspect of the track and adds a further layer to the R&B pop number. I very much like the chorus for this track. The vocals and pop melodies make it so straight-forward, yet give it so much oomph. Both Sehun and Chanyeol give Regret It a lively bounce with their rap sequences throughout the song. Overall, a very nice listen. (8.5/10)

3. Hear Me Out (Pre-Release Track) – Click here to read the full review for Hear Me Out. (8/10)

4. Private Party – The beginning of Private Party gives the track a classy and sleek vibe. But that isn’t what Private Party is about. Within seconds, the track transform into a punchy upbeat number, with trap beats and a hip-hop vibe coming into play courtesy of the rappers. As the track progresses, Private Party involves some very interesting and bold detailing in the instrumentation which adds colour and character to the track. The chorus was catchy, the vocals are solid, the rapping keeps that upbeatness alive. Private Party is very much a party I would like to go to. (8/10)

5. Cinderella – Cinderella is my pick for best song on this album. The harmonisation, the instrumentation, the melodies and hooks. Cinderella had it all for me. Everything was addictive, and the song very much remains just as addictive even months after it was released. I highly recommend you check out this number. (10/10)

6. No Makeup – EXO delves even further in No Makeup. Again, the harmonisation with the backing vocals in No Makeup is amazing and serves as a highlight within the song. The rest of the track has a fairly straightforward and mid-tempo R&B instrumentation, and the vocals elsewhere in the song are just as charismatic and sleek. The second highlight of the song comes during the bridge when the instrumental was stripped away, leaving just the vocals. That was a very strong moment for the track. The rapping at the end was nice addition and gives No Makeup a satisfying end. A very sexy track, overall. (9/10)

7. Love Fool – This is my personal preference talking here, but I am not a fan of the breakdowns following the choruses. It just cuts the flow of the otherwise solid song. I don’t like the vocal groans in the background of these breakdowns, as well. Sehun’s rapping is fine. I just don’t think it is the time and place in this song for it. Elsewhere in Love Fool, we do get a more typical instrumentation, but the vocals do take Love Fool to a new level. Pity the song is laced with the breakdowns. (7/10)

8. Another Day – Another Day is such a bright and poppy track. I love the feel-good nature that the vocals exhibit. And boy, the vocals just really grab at you from the get-go. The instrumentation was interesting, with the distorted scratches in the background of the verses being the main driver of this intriguingness. But somehow it works and doesn’t come as grating as it seems. The snappy percussion makes Another Day into a bright and bubby track. I quite liked this track. (9/10)

9. Let Me In (Pre-Release Track) – Click here to read the full review for Let Me In. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.5/10

EXIST Teaser Image

[Review] Golden Hour – MARK (NCT)

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged , 1 Comment

NCT LAB is a series of solo songs by the members of NCT that don’t necessarily fall under of the works of their entire group or units. The series began in 2022 under SM Station, but was confirmed earlier this year to run as its own project. The first single, Child, was by MARK. But I have not gone back to review another NCT LAB song since then. Today, I am picking up the NCT LAB releases once again, beginning with song reviews for the 2023 releases and then returning to the 2022 releases at a later date. And it all begins back with MARK and his solo track, Golden Hour.

Golden Hour sees MARK bring together hip-hop, grungy rock guitar, familiar drumming that reminds me of Diplomacy’s Silver Lake Queen, a hint of elevator music and Gordan Ramsay references? The first three goes hand-in-hand with another, and all five elements comes together to create an eventful track. Golden Hour starts off with the three elements (hip-hop via MARK’s rapping, which I will touch on later, grungy rock guitar and drumming). But mid-way, the track transforms briefly into punkish rock, before the bridge adds in elevator-esque piano riffs to the background, following which Golden Hour returns to the three elements it began with to complete the circle. This all made it a dynamic listen. MARK himself is super expressive throughout Golden Hour, delivering a range of styles – rapping, singing, a combination of both and speaking throughout the track to match the different moments in the instrumentation and show some range. His flow was very good throughout Golden Hour and the hooks were catchy. As mentioned earlier, Golden Hour also includes lyrics that appear to diss Gordan Ramsay. But prior to the song’s release, MARK himself confirmed that he only mentioned GR and that Golden Hour was not a diss track (though GR himself did respond to MARK in the most GR way possible). Rather, MARK drew upon the interaction between a fan of his and GR, who apparently told MARK’s fan to break up with her boyfriend for cooking eggs terribly. The funny twist is that the image GR reacted to was actually MARK’s cooking from a TV show. Apart from those moments, the lyrics also bring out a much more mature version and the adult in MARK. I will let you work out what that means. But overall, there is fair bit happening in Golden Hour and it amounted to something worthwhile.

Per the song’s influence being around MARK cooking eggs, the music video also revolves around eggs and cooking, as well. We see flashes of the cooking references, but a lot of egg imagery and smashes throughout the video. In addition to eggs, there is a real edgy vibe that MARK does a good job of showing in the music video. He shows it in a loose and freestyle manner, but still makes sure it fits the grungy style that the song aims for. The stylists did a really good job on their part as well, keeping the brown jacket constant throughout the video. The continuous presence of the brown jackets allows the viewers to keep a constant an image of MARK in their mind, even after the video has ended.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Overall Rating – 8/10

[Double Review] BET ON ME + None of My Business – ITZY

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged 1 Comment

Ahead of their comeback with CAKE earlier this year, ITZY released two music videos for two side tracks off their Kill My Doubt mini-album – BET ON ME and None of My Business. Long overdue, but I am finally reviewing the two side tracks in this double review post ahead of the album review for Kill My Doubt which I am looking to post next week.

Neither BET ON ME or None of My Business are of bold title track material that ITZY always promotes with. Instead, I found both side tracks to be quite subdued, each in their own way for ITZY’s standard. While subdued tracks can be good, I find both these tracks to be very much on the generic side. BET ON ME is my personal favourite of the two. BET ON ME is just a lot meatier in my opinion, which I put it down to the pulsing beat in the background and melodies with a bit more bite to them. That being said, however, BET ON ME needs a bit more substance to it to take it to the next level. Otherwise, the generic comments I made at the start pretty much stand firm in this track. Maybe the chorus could have used a more effective and catchy hook and the vocals could have been more developed. None of My Business is a lot smoother in terms of melodies and had some catchy hooks, which I do like. Their vocals sound pretty nice in this track, and I appreciate how the rapping cuts through the melodies and prevents the song from becoming too repetitive. But the biggest problem I have with None of My Business is the sluggish instrumentation, which results in the energy of the track to be subpar. Released in the midst of the Summer season, None of My Business reflects that in a tropical sounding and mid-tempo backing. It does the job, but it is also very paced, feels draining and made me lose interest in the track quite quickly. Overall, it is clear that both tracks are lacking, and as such were not my favourite songs off Kill My Doubt.

The music videos for both BET ON ME and None of My Business fairs better than the songs themselves. BET ON ME‘s lyrics feature a message of believing in yourself, and we see that in the video. Each member is isolated or isolating themselves from the world throughout the video. But at the end of the video, we see each member one-by-one run come together to run away from the feeling and towards the light at the end of the tunnel – the brighter outcome that they desire. I like the grey tone featured throughout the music video. But like Stray Kids’ DLC, I wished there to be more colour as the members come together at the end, just to give a better expression of hope. However, on the flip side, they are still in that tunnel and so the grey filter does still stand on that side of the tunnel. As for None of My Business, the video opts for warmer colours and the members wear appropriate outfits to match the summery vibe the song had going on. The rest of the music video is rather simple, comprising of close up and choreography shots, so there isn’t much else for me to mention.

The choreography for BET ON ME was quite good. I liked how each member had a moment with the dancers and the routine during the outro to the performance. On the other hand, I feel like the subdued nature of None of My Business weakens its choreography, which felt already felt minimal and lacks energy from the members.

BET ON ME
Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8.5/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10

None of My Business
Song – 6.5/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6.8/10

[Album Review] Golden Hourglass (9th Mini Album) – OH MY GIRL

Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged 4 Comments

OH MY GIRL made their comeback back in July of this year with their 9th mini-album, Golden Hourglass. It is the focus of this album review today. The mini-album features a total of five songs, including the title track Summer Comes. Golden Hourglass is another example of an album release where the title track was the weakest of all tracks on the mini-album, and the side tracks stood out more (and by a great deal). Further, if you have a desire to return to the warmer months (or are heading to Summer if you live where I am), I recommend that you should check out Golden Hourglass, which is very summery and upbeat. I also applaud Mimi, who is my pick for MVP on this mini-album, standing out in most of the tracks on the mini-album. There is a lot to like in Golden Hourglass, so have a listen to the tracks below.

Golden Hour Album Cover

1. Celebrate – If you ever want a very bright and poppy track that does not skimp on blastful energy, then Celebrate is the song for you. I just love the summery rush and energy that Celebrate provides. It is a track that genuinely makes me want to find a reason to celebrate by getting up and dancing along. The vocals from OH MY GIRL are also bright and bubbly. Even the rapping breakdown mid-way into the song felt right and adds some flair to Celebrate to keep it dynamic and fun. (10/10)  

2. Summer Comes (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Summer Comes. (7/10)

3. Queen B – I freaking love the tenacity and fun energy that the chorus of the Queen B exudes. The chorus is the primary reason as to why the song was stuck in my head for days when the album was first released. And now that I am revisiting the song for the purposes of this review, it is now stuck in my mind once again. Mimi’s rapping throughout Queen B was excellent, particularly in the second verse, as it cuts through the song very well and prevents the song from being overly repetitive. The high-pitched vocals during the pre-choruses were equally as nice, and also served a similar effect. (10/10)

4. Dirty Laundry – Dirty Laundry is actually quite a pretty song, when it comes to the choruses. I find that to be quite ironic. The “La La La Hoo” was very nice and easy-on-the-ears centrepiece. The vocalisation that brings that to life is definitely a successful aspect of the song. Mimi’s rapping is quite punchy, but I felt like it goes down a heavy-handed road that doesn’t quite match up with the rest of Dirty Laundry. I wished there was more balance. But Dirty Laundry was still a good listen. (8/10)

5. Paradise – For me, I like that Paradise brings out a different side of OH MY GIRL, whilst also keeping the usual profile of OH MY GIRL alive. OH MY GIRL have always had “pretty” songs, with the prettiness is a characteristics of the instrumentation or the melodies or vocals. And I feel like the chorus and melodies of Paradise maintains this side of the group quite well. But the post-chorus sequence led by Mimi gives off an edgier vibe, which I don’t register as much with OH MY GIRL. Both come together to create a strong and powerful track that I found to be quite enjoyable. I also like the brass in the instrumentation, which gives Paradise some flair and oomph. (9/10)

6. Miracle – The mini-album finishes up with Miracle, a sweeter and softer toned mid-tempo track. I like how upbeat and tropical the track was, which aligns it well with the rest of the mini-album. The vocals are comforting, the melodies were very nice and the track was easy on the ears, overall. The placement of Miracle at the end of the mini-album is smart, as it helps ease us out of from all the upbeat and summery energy that the mini-album is built around. (8.5/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10 [Updated due to missing song]

Golden Hour Teaser Image

[Review] In The Mood – Whee In (MAMAMOO)

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Leave a comment

Whee In returned last week with her first solo studio length album, IN the mood. The title track off the album is titled In The Mood, as well. This is Whee In’s first solo release since last year’s Make Me Happy and D-DAY (which I never got around to reviewing).

In The Mood is a pretty nice track, overall. I would definitely describe this track as pleasant sounding and rather breezy, with the latter feeling very appropriate for the start of the Autumn season when the weather is still quite nice and enjoyable (just without the heat). In the Mood is described as being a medium pop song with R&B vibes, and that description succinctly sums up the song. I really like the subtle groove the track features overall, which makes it nicely upbeat. I also like how In The Mood is rather synth forward and how the beats are rather soft and chill as a foundation. As an example, the bridge features a deep wub wub synth, which I thought served as a nice brief alteration to the wider instrumentation and keeps In The Mood from falling into a consistent state. The ending of the music video also features an instrumental version of the song also highlights the presence of the synths quite nicely, as well as the pleasantness of the track. Whee In herself is very smooth throughout In The Mood, with the combination of her breathy vocals and falsettos being absolute charms throughout the song. The melodies were also quite nice and comforting to listen to. Overall, I quite enjoyed the likes of In The Mood.

As mentioned earlier, the track has this breezy-like vibe to it. And we do get a breezy shot of Whee In, whilst travelling with friends in the car. These are the most vibrant shots in the entire music video, and this alone made it them the most memorable shots in the entire video. Aside from the breezy shots, the music video also shows Whee In having a good time at a party, whilst listening to her own song through her headphones. Despite the party not hearing the song, the party becomes more alive and upbeat from the moment her headphones are on, compared to when she was not listening to her song. Elsewhere in the video, she is enjoying her life with a couple of friends or by herself. The choreography shots in the video were also quite good, as well.

The performance was nice. Obviously with Whee In, her focus was always going to be on her execution of live vocals and so the choreography was never going to be as involved to other artists’ performances. But what I saw matches up well with the pleasantness of In The Mood and her live vocals were stable throughout.

Song – 8/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7.5/10
Overall Rating – 7.9/10

[Review] Chasing That Feeling – TXT

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged 6 Comments

Also making their comeback this week/yesterday was TXT, who returns with their 3rd studio album The Name Chapter: FREEFALL. Leading the charge on their latest album is the single Chasing That Feeling. We last heard TXT on the Korean stage through their promotions of Sugar Rush Ride and The Name Chapter: Temptation, and more recently through their international collaborations with the Jonas Brother (Do It Like That) and Anitta (Back For More) – both of which are featured on The Name Chapter: FREEFALL, sans Anitta (the TXT version of Back For More is featured instead).

Chasing That Feeling is a pretty decent synth-pop track. It is rather straight forward and doesn’t miss a beat from the very moment it begins. It isn’t the perfect track, however, as Chasing That Feeling is missing one vital element – the climax. Every time I put the song on, I am hoping that there is a peak to the song, but it just never gets there. Instead, we get a pretty neutral and generic vibe in Chasing That Feeling as a result. And this is quite disappointing. Apart from that, Chasing That Feeling features a decent set of vocals from the members, with some clean melodies. Though some more powerful vocals could have taken Chasing That Feeling to the next level. The ad-libs at the end were pretty good, however. I like the splash of extra instrumentation for the chorus, which helps makes the central piece stand out more in this neutral piece. While the melodies are good, the song also lacks a hook to really get our minds to grab onto. In addition to the inclusion of a proper climax, more powerful vocals and meatier hooks, I would have liked to hear more interesting 80s synth pop tropes in the instrumental to give it some flair. While Chasing That Feeling definitely has the set up to be a strong song, more is definitely needed to get it there.

The music video see the members crashing into Earth (more specifically, a sewer) and chasing after these orbs of light separately. And while the members try very hard to chasing these orbs of light, the orbs ends up bringing the members together again (and whilst not shone, fuses into one). My guess that it shows the members are strongest when they are together and not alone, no matter where they are. Apart from the storyline, the music video also features some really cool post-production effects. The best of it is shown at the end where the buildings and roads undergo some alternative dimensional changes despite everything around the members also going on as normal. It gives off Dr. Strange vibes, which I personally think is one of the cooler Marvel movies out there.

The choreography, to me, is quite good. Sure, it probably isn’t their most memorable piece ever, but I like the fluidity of the movements and the smoothness of the overall routine. It is still a performance to watch, as it still shows off TXT’s performance skills. I like how effortlessly the routine goes with the music, which very much carries a similar vibe, as well.

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 9/10
Performance – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Review] Baddie – IVE

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged 2 Comments

IVE is one of the many groups and music acts that made their comeback this busy week in October. The popular female group returns with their 1st ever mini-album I’ve Mine and the title track Baddie yesterday, following two pre-release tracks – Either Way and Off The Record (both of which I reviewed earlier this week). This comeback follows on from the group’s promotions of I AM and their first studio album, I’ve IVE.

IVE has been successful with pop numbers since their debut, so I am unsure why they needed to stray from it. To me, their pop songs have been comforting and likeable, but also punchy and catchy. Sure, IVE can definitely explore other genres if they want, but the producers should ensure the song is fit for IVE. Baddie takes on a hip-hop style that I believe doesn’t suit IVE. When I listen to the song, I don’t get any sense of character or individuality from Baddie, and their delivery feels pretty generic overall. Sure, Baddie is successful in showing an edgier side of the group via the instrumentation. The instrumental break serves as a good example of this and is probably the most dynamic aspect of Baddie. The pelting synth in the post-chorus hook was also an interesting and bold addition to the instrumental, and another good example of edginess. And I am pretty satisfied with the vocal centric pre-chorus (however, I would have liked it more if the second pre-chorus wasn’t cut short). But everything else, from the vocals and rapping elsewhere in Baddie, to the chorus, to the hooks etc. all sound bland and uneventful. ‘Stuck in neutral gear’ is how I would describe Baddie. Honestly, I am not even sure if there is potential for Baddie to grow on me with even more listens. And that says a lot to me.

The music video is an odd one, given its concept. Essentially, IVE is causing havoc in the world for being “cat humans”. They supposedly cause all sorts of trouble, attract attention in public and scare people off. What is interesting is that at night, they come together to carry out some kind of ritual that awakens bigger cats. I would have liked to see more of the havoc, trouble and these bigger cats that they awaken throughout the video, as I think there could have been a decent story in all of this. But as the video is only 2:48 minutes long, the producers have to gloss over the details to fit it all in such a short time frame. A more profound edginess to the video wouldn’t have hurt and could have boosted that intention in the song as well.

The performance aspect of the comeback was okay. It isn’t a resounding yes from me, but it suffices. The performance does focus more on looking good, rather than showcasing anything edgy, which I think the song does calls for. I did particularly like Wonyoung’s change of expression and moves during her “I’m thriller, so villain” line. That was pretty cool highlight.

Song – 6/10
Music Video – 7/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 6.5/10

[Album Review] ISTJ (3rd Studio Album) – NCT DREAM

Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged , 6 Comments

I am moving some things around today as I am feeling a little unwell. So instead of posting tomorrow’s album review tomorrow, I will be posting it today. Song reviews will be posted tomorrow, instead. And as you can tell from the title of this post, the album review is for NCT DREAM’s ISTJ, their 3rd studio album. This album dropped in July of this year. Featured on this album is the title track ISTJ, the pre-release track Broken Melodies and an additional 8 tracks. For my thoughts on the tracks of this album, keep on reading below!

ISTJ Album Cover

1. ISTJ (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for ISTJ. (8/10)

2. Broken Melodies (Pre-Release Track) – Click here to read the full review for Broken Melodies. (9/10)

3. Yoghurt Shake – Adding some sweetness and youthful energy to the album is the single Yoghurt Shake, the track in which NCT DREAM followed up promotions of ISTJ with. It is a bright pop track, almost bubble gum-like thanks to the light and delightful instrumentation and melodies. This very much could have been a track from their early days. But there is a hint of maturity in Yoghurt Shake that makes it fit in with NCT DREAM discography today. Also, Yoghurt Shake also puts the vocalists in the forefront, with their vocals and harmonies being the main selling point of the track. (8/10)

4. Skateboard – EDM and hip-hop takes over in Skateboard. I really like the upbeat energy that this track exudes. I also like the 2000s flair the track brings. The hip-hop aspect of Skateboard, which comes through the beats and the members’ delivery, was very pronounced and the EDM was energetic but not overwhelming, which makes Skateboard so easy to get into. My pick for favourite track on this album. (10/10)

5. Blue Wave (파랑) – Blue Wave serves as the sequel to the single Dive Into You (which was featured on the group’s first studio album, Hot Sauce). It is also referenced during the outro of this track. Blue Wave is a very tropical sounding single, thanks to the pan flutes in the background that adds a level of freshness to the track. I really execution of the fast-paced lyrics/melodies in the pre-chorus, and the harmonies during the chorus of this track. A fun and pleasant track. (8/10) 

6. Poison (모래성) – The sensual track video for Poison that was released in the lead up to the release of ISTJ shows a completely different side to the group, miles away from where they started off with. And those sensual vibes come through the entire R&B song. I like the groovy bass in the background, along with the body-wave vibe the chorus exudes. I also like the flirty rapping and the smooth vocals that feature in Poison. Whether this release alludes to even more mature sounds/concepts in the future is still to be seen, but I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing the group venture down this path at least once in the future. (9/10)   

7. SOS – The group takes us down a more experimental direction with SOS. The track itself features hip-hop beats and the EDM creates suspense. The booming bass in SOS also gives the track a dynamic flair. I really like the very breathy whisper that kicks off the chorus. The rappers really have a strong hold in this track and nail their parts. I wish the vocalists had more presence in the track, as it felt like they were missing from SOS for the most part. (7.5/10)  

8. Pretzel (♡) – Pretzel’ssynth line was very bold – it sounded very crunchy, but also spongy and dragged out a tiny bit. It makes for a very interesting backing to the track. Elsewhere in Pretzel, the members stay very much in hip-hop territory, which I think all members (vocalists and rappers alike) do an amazing job in embodying in this track. The bridge was also very delectable, just like the references to the baked good in the lyrics were. (9/10)

9. Starry Night (제자리 걸음) – We enter mellow territory towards the end of the album, with the first of the last two tracks taking on a R&B pop sound. Starry Night also features bossa nova influences, which contributes to a softer direction in the verses and bridge. But Starry Night also features pop leaning choruses that takes things in a slightly bolder approach. Together, the two meld together quite cohesively to create a nice vocal-centric track. (8/10)

10.  Like We Just Met – Written by all of the members, Like We Just Met features more of an acoustic R&B sound. The instrumentation was beautiful, from the acoustic guitar that starts and end the track to the orchestral peak. In addition to that, you can hear the sincerity behind the members, their vocals and lyrics. The all-in chorus was very fitting, especially following Jisung’s vocals (which is a moment I find myself returning to constantly). It is hard to fault song a like this. (10/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.7/10

ISTJ Teaser Image

[Album Review] THE UИSEEN (1st Mini Album) – SHOWNU x HYUNGWON (MONSTA X)

Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged , Leave a comment

Today, I am posting another album review – this one is for MONSTA X’s first subunit SHOWNU x HYUNGWON. Their first mini-album, THE UИSEEN, was released at the end of July 2023. This mini-album features the title track, Love Me A Little, and four other side tracks. To me, THE UИSEEN is one of those albums where the title track was the weakest track of all and the side tracks all surpassed the standard created by the title track. There is definitely a side track on this mini-album that would have served better as the title track. To see which of the side tracks I thought had what it take to be title track material, continue reading below.

THE UИSEEN Album Cover

1. Love Me A Little (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Love Me A Little. (6.5/10)

2. Love Therapy – Love Therapy would have made a far more convincing title track than the actual title track. Grungy vibes feature in Love Therapy thanks the ongoing presence of a very texturally crunchy synth. But as the song enters chorus territory, Love Therapy becomes groovier, which a very cool development in the song. The duo comes off as very charismatic in Love Therapy, with strong vocals from both. SHOWNU really oozed a lot of sleekness and style through his vocals, while HYUNGWON’s rap-speak moment in the bridge was a highlight. I think the song could have benefited from a more robust hook that isn’t repetition of the song’s title. But as it is, it is quite a strong side track already. (8.5/10)  

3. Roll With Me – For me, there was a fair bit to like in Roll With Me. The element that resonates the most with me in this track are the soft and gentle vocals from both SHOWNU and HYUNGWON. There is just something so captivating about their vocals and the melodies that rolls along in Roll With Me. However, as equally as strong as the vocal work, the instrumentation was quite something. The haunting vibe and striking piano makes for a solid base, and the contrast with the vocals made Roll With Me even more compelling to listen to. (9/10)

4. Play Me – Groovy and funky vibes take over in Play Me. I like how the track keeps the soft trajectory going from the previous track. It is a motif that I find works well with SHOWNU and HYUNGWON, especially when it came to the post-chorus sequence of the song. The falsettos were also a nice touch to the song. I would have liked to hear more riveting melodies, as this would have helped take Play Me to the next level. But what we got was pretty good already. (8/10)  

5. Slow Dance – Ending the mini-album is Slow Dance, which is a R&B track. There isn’t much to talk about in this song, other than it is a solid effort from the duo. Once again, they take the soft direction and the groovy air does remain in Slow Dance. But I do like the upbeat nature and the oomph they do put into the chorus, which makes it more charged and appealing listen. But once again, punchier hooks and stronger melodies would have made Slow Dance even better. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8/10

THE UИSEEN Teaser Image

[Album Review] 2023 S/S Collection (5th Mini Album) – Kim Sung Kyu (INFINITE)

Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged , Leave a comment

The next album to be reviewed on the blog belongs to Kim Sung Kyu’s 5th mini-album. 2023 S/S Collection, which dropped in June of this year. There is a total of 6 songs on the mini-album, including the title track Small Talk. There is one recurring element on this mini-album that I consistently come back to. And that is Kim Sung Kyu’s vocals. Trust me, you will not be disappointed by his voice in any song on this mini-album So, if you are looking for some amazing vocal work, I highly recommend you check out this album release (and honesty the rest of Kim Sung Kyu’s discography, as he has some really great songs throughout his solo career thus far).

S/S Collection 2023 Album Cover

1. Intro: Time Lapse – Kicking off the mini-album is a very atmospheric and calming introductory instrumental piece. Time Lapse features the sound of waves crashing onto a shoreline or beach, synths and band instrumentation that builds up the track into a very pleasant opener.

2. Small Talk (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for Small Talk. (8/10)

3. It Will Be – I really liked the captivating mix of orchestration and synths in It Will Be. The combination isn’t anything new, especially for Kim Sung Kyu. But the execution of the pairing makes for an interesting background piece. The backing vocals add so much depth to the song in the chorus, while Kim Sung Kyu himself just stuns me throughout with his vocal delivery that adapts to the changes in the music so effortlessly. (9/10) 

4. Jump – Jump sounds like it is going to be a dynamic and active track. But what I did not expect is the amazing balladry melodies that features in this song. These are brought to life by Kim Sung Kyu’s heavenly vocals, turning Jump into a beautifully and soft euphoric number. The harmonies and high note was amazing. The instrumentation of Jump puts a piano dominant orchestral piece with band instrumentation, which is pretty much Kim Sung Kyu’s style, to create such a beautiful backing piece. Another captivating listen from the soloist. (10/10)

5. Go Again – Go Again is the mini-album’s most upbeat number. Synth-pop rock influence instrumentation serves as the backing of Go Again, moving away from the orchestral touch that featured in the previous two tracks. I really like the foot-tapping energy that is given off by Go Again. Kim Sung Kyu sounds like he is having a good time delivering this track, and I like the vocals used as part of the instrumentation, which adds a fun element to the song. The best part has to be at the 3:08 mark, where he utters the words ‘Let’s go again’ to lead us into the final chorus. Simple, but highly effective. (9/10)

6. Sometimes – Alterative rock instrumentation kicks into play with Sometimes. Again, I quite like the upbeat vibes of the song (though it is a bit more subdued that compared to Go Again), especially how straightforward the chorus of Sometimes comes across. The straightforwardness of the song does mean, however, that Sometimes doesn’t have much else going on. That being said, Kim Sung Kyu adds a bit of oomph into this song, particularly towards the end, adding a tinge of complexity and cool energy to the song. (8/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.8/10

S/S Collection 2023 Teaser Image

[Review] Honey or Spice – LIGHTSUM

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged Leave a comment

It has been almost a year and half since we last heard from LIGHTSUM on stage, with their last comeback being in May of last year with Alive (a comeback which I have not reviewed, as I pretty much forgot about its existence very quickly). Since then, LIGHTSUM reformed into a six-member female group (with the departure of Huiyeon and Jiah) and Sungah participated in recent Queendom Puzzle survival show (but was quickly eliminated). Today, the group ends their 1.5 year hiatus with their second mini-album and new title track, both of which are titled Honey or Spice.

I have decided to proceed with reviewing LIGHTSUM’s comeback for two reasons – so I don’t forget about the comeback entirely and I think LIGHTSUM deserves some attention from me (and in general). To me, they are practically the forgotten group of Cube Entertainment. And I hope Honey or Spice helps turns that around, especially since the song goes with a somewhat bombastic instrumentation. Some of the beats throughout Honey or Spice go for a more emphasised and bold touch, which I do find to be quite cool and it does potentially add some ‘spice’ to the song. But on the other hand, however, I do feel like it is quite overused in the chorus, and so the effect does become lost. The post-chorus “Honey Honey Honey Honey” and “Hurry, Hurry, Hurry, Hurry” sequence is probably my favourite part of the song. Its addictive and is a catchy hook. The “Follow me” start to the verses was also a likeable moment in the song. I like the atmospheric touch in the instrumentation to the beginning of the second verse. The rest of Honey or Spice does fall short however, with both the verses and choruses being practically unmemorable. The vocals and rapping don’t excite me in these parts, nor do the hooks and melodies have a similar hold on me as the post-chorus did. Overall, I welcome Honey and Spice‘s reintroduction of LIGHTSUM with a bolder sound, but the execution of the final product is just not there.

The group shows both a ‘honey’ (youthful, cutesy) and a ‘spice’ (mature) side to themselves in the music video. The video depicts a guy falling for the group, after he bumps into them and is given a taste of both sides of the group. It ends off with the guy humming to the LIGHTSUM’s new song, and I like that ending. It is a bit neutral, but it strikes a balance for the two sides of the group depicted in the video. I really liked how smooth and clever the way the song started in the video. The “Follow me” lines were definitely well utilised. Also, as a foodie myself, I really liked how they used food to depict the sweeter vs. fiercer side of the group. It is logical and makes complete sense.

The choreography for Honey or Spice was decent. I liked the chorus routine, but there really isn’t much for me to comment on in that part or the wider routine. The only thing I can say is that the choreography feels and looks like it suits the song, which you expect (or hope for, at the very least).

Song – 7/10
Music Video – 8/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall Rating – 7.3/10

[Double Review] Either Way + Off The Record – IVE

Posted in KPOP, ReviewsTagged 2 Comments

Later this week, IVE will be making their comeback with Baddie. But before that, I have two of IVE’s pre-release singles (Either Way & Off The Record) that I need to review. I will doing that today. Either Way is the first pre-release single, which dropped on 25 September 2023. Off The Record is the second pre-release single, and was dropped on 6 October 2023. Baddie / Either Way / Off The Record follows on from IVE’s first studio length album, I’ve IVE, which featured the title track I AM.

Both Either Way and Off The Record takes on a subdued sound, something that IVE hasn’t really promoted with ever. I also find both releases to be the blandest IVE releases to date. They do both have their individual charms, however. For me, Either Way is the prettier of the two pre-release singles. And I put this down to IVE’s vocals and the melodies in the song, which the combination of sounds immaculate. There is something to the variety of melodies that the members do a good job of delivering in Either Way and the distinctly more nasal tone than usual. When it comes to the chorus, the song becomes more vibrant and profound, particularly thanks to Yujin’s contribution to the chorus. This boost the song up quite nicely, and helps add more variety in the song. The “I, I, I” and “My, My, My” hooks were pretty striking, as well. But apart from that, nothing else really stands out in Either Way. The slow and paced synths instrumental was interesting take on the balladry sound, but there isn’t anything memorable coming out of it. Maybe it is atmospheric when I think back on Either Way retrospectively, but that doesn’t come to me as a first impression.

Off The Record is the opposite – in the sense the song’s charm is actually the instrumentation and the vocals don’t do anything to me. The instrumentation for Off The Record is a lot punchier thanks to its underlying groovy vibes. Off The Record ends up settling for a mid-tempo upbeat nature, which I find to be quite pleasant. The bridge of Off The Record features an interpolation of The Cardigans’ Lovefool, which admittedly is the biggest highlight in both songs that I am reviewing today. Elsewhere in the song, the rapping in Off The Record was also quite well done, with the soft rap-speak motif adopted in the song quite fitting for the mid-tempo atmosphere and pleasant vibes I just mentioned. But as mentioned above, the vocals are the weak point of the song. I just didn’t find them interesting and I honestly have no memory of them once the song is over. It is quite disappointing, especially since Either Way proves they are capable of sounding beautiful.

Either Way‘s lyrics has the message that “we cannot be free from other people’s gazes”. For the most part, we see the members alone. But the scene with all the other members staring at Leeseo through the mirror was a very clever way of depicting the people’s gaze. This causes an internal struggle that leads them to isolate themselves from the rest of the world. In the end, the members come to term with this struggle and put it behind them in the decorated room. What I do find to be quite interesting is that the music video starts in that exact room with the gazes mentioned above, so I think that represents that this is a struggle the members feel on a day-by-day basis and gives meaning to the “we cannot be free” part of the song’s message.

The music video for Off The Record is a lot brighter and light-hearted. Essentially, we see the members confess their secrets during a late night slumber party to one another. And their secrets happen to be about the person they love, based on what I could make out from the video. But rather than being something quite innocent, which is what the video attempts to convince you of, the secret appears to be a bit more scandalous, with the members splitting up another relationship to be with the person they love. I am unsure if it was successful or not, but it was definitely a sinister and unexpected secret to see the members confess to.

Either Way
Song – 7.5/10
Music Video – 8/10
Overall Rating – 7.7/10

Off The Record
Song – 7/10
Music Video – 9/10
Overall Rating – 7.8/10

[Album Review] ★★★★★ (5-STAR) (3rd Studio Album) – Stray Kids

Posted in Album Reviews, KPOPTagged 4 Comments

After a series of posts reviewing the side tracks from ★★★★★ (5-STAR), I am finally getting around to posting the entire album review for ★★★★★ (5-STAR) today. Slight apologies in the delay, as this was supposed to be posted on Sunday, but I become preoccupied with some personal stuff yesterday night. So I have rescheduled it for today instead. ★★★★★ (5-STAR) dropped in early June 2023 with S-Class leading a total of 12 songs. Many of the side-tracks, as mentioned above, have their own song review post as they had their own music video. But there are a few tracks that hadn’t received a music video, so my thoughts on throe songs are contained below. Overall, ★★★★★ (5-STAR) is a very positive and dynamic listening experience. One might even say – there is not a bad song on this album release!

Oh, as a side note, guess what officially announced last week – Stray Kids comeback for November 2023 with 樂-STAR (ROCK-STAR). So I most likely will be doing multiple Stray Kids review in the near future all over again.

★★★★★ (5-STAR) Album Cover

1. Hall of Fame (위인전) – Kicking off Stray Kids’ 3rd studio album is Hall of Fame. And it does so with a very bold approach. Felix’s lyrics “Shaking the industry, Quaking reality” actually sums up Hall of Fame quite succinctly, with the group making sure to do just that in its opening track. It brings together R&B and trap metal, the latter is actually a unique sound in KPOP as far as I can remember. The rapping works extremely well in the track, channeling the energy very well. The vocals were iffy in some parts, but powerful at other moments. (8/10)

2. S-Class (특) (Title Track) – Click here to read the full review for S-Class. (8.5/10)

3. ITEM – The fact that ITEM doesn’t have a music video is a massive mysterious for me. To me, ITEM is the most recognisable track following the title track. And it due to the aggressive nature of the chorus. It is BOLD, shocking to the core and just so damn memorable. The vocals help balances out the track, so it isn’t too much. I also like the piercing end of the vocal lines in the choruses, which helps its rise to the same level of the rapping. And the rapping had amazing flow and fire to it. The arcade-like sample in the background is also a memorable aspect of the song. (10/10)

4. Super Bowl – Super Bowl ended up having a music video, but as part of its Japanese release (but I will be passing that up to review Super Bowl in this album review post). On ★★★★★ (5-STAR), however, Super Bowl is an all-English track. From what I am reading, Super Bowl was the original God’s Menu. The whispery aspect of the song reminds me of ASMR, with cooking featured heavily as part of that trend. The rapping and all-member parts were very cool. The chorus is also quite iconic, given it features both whispery and all-member delivery that I liked in the track. (8.5/10)

5. TOPLINE (ft. Tiger JK) – Click here to read the full review for TOPLINE. (8.5/10)

6. DLC – Click here to read the full review for DLC. (8/10)

7. GET LIT (죽어보자) – Click here to read the full review for GET LIT. (9/10)

8. Collision (충돌) – The final track that did not get a music video is Collision. But no music video is fine here, as the R&B track still manages to capture my attention with its jazzy vibes, saxophone feature and the vocal-centric approach. The rapping in the track is equally as good, but I think the jazzier sound helps the vocalists flourish in this song more so than the rappers. (8/10)  

9. FNF – Click here to read the full review for FNF. (8/10)

10. Youtiful – Click here to read the full review for Youtiful. (9/10)

11. THE SOUND (Korean Version) – I previously reviewed the Japanese version of THE SOUND and will be carrying my thoughts/rating from that review to this review. Click here to read the review for the Japanese version of THE SOUND. (9/10)

12. Mixtape: Time Out – Click here to read the full review for Mixtape: Time Out. (9/10)

Overall Album Rating – 8.6/10

★★★★★(5-STAR) Teaser Image